The Quebec Declaration is founded on the principles set out in a series of documents that include the ‘Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works’ (1886-1979), the ‘Universal Copyright Convention’ (1952) and the ‘Recommendation on the Legal Protection of Translators and Translations and the Practical Means to improve the Status of Translators’ (Nairobi Recommendations, drafted by FIT, 1976). Louis Jolicoeur of Quebec’s Laval University, Sherry Simon of Concordia University in Montreal, and Émile Martel, President of PEN’s Quebec Centre, were charged with preparing the initial draft of the Declaration, with contributions from Esther Allen of Baruch College at City University of New York, Hugh Hazelton of Concordia University in Montreal, and Fabio Scotto of the University of Bergamo.

The initial draft was submitted to the PEN Centres that form part of the Translation and Linguistic Rights Committee, which is chaired by Simona Škrabec. Their respective representatives were given the opportunity to debate all aspects of the declaration before agreeing on a final text in French, English and Spanish at two separate Committee meetings. The first was held in Barcelona in April 2015, while the second took place during the 81st PEN Congress held in the city of Quebec in October 2015. More than fifty delegates from across the globe took part in the debate, offering an in-depth knowledge of the literary and linguistic realities of the countries and regions to which they belonged.

This wide-ranging consultation process resulted in a text containing a six-point summary of the principles and objectives that PEN International intends to promote in the area of literary translation. These principles include the importance of translation in promoting the dignity of all cultures and languages, the need to draw attention to the conditions required in order to engage in this activity and, above all, the importance of defending the people who make communication possible – literary translators.

The Quebec Declaration was unanimously approved by the PEN International Assembly on 15 October 2015. The French, English and Spanish text was finalised during the course of the Quebec Congress, and all the other translations are the result of the work carried out by the PEN Centres and their supporters. Our aim is to ensure that the Declaration can be read in the highest possible number of languages and we hope that other institutions and organisations will adopt its principles and help us to defend and disseminate them. The Quebec Declaration forms part of PEN International’s broad strategy to promote literary creativity and collaboration between cultures.

Read the The Quebec Declaration on Literary Translation and Translators:

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PEN International promotes literature and freedom of expression. Founded in 1921, our global community of writers now spans more than 100 countries. PEN International is a non-political organisation which holds Special Consultative Status at the UN and Associate Status at UNESCO.